Air quality alert system and method

Abstract

An air quality alert system provides a signal which indicates whether or not a door or window should be (fully or partially) opened or closed. The system takes account of the air quality in a first area (e.g. outdoors) as well as the proximity of the user to a door or window so that information is only provided when the user is situated at the door or window. This avoids overloading the user with unwanted information.

1 . A system, comprising:
 an input for receiving a first air quality indication for a first area;   a proximity sensing arrangement for determining if a user is in the proximity of a door or window between the first area and a second area;   an output for providing a recommendation for a status of the door or window; and   a processor,   wherein the processor is adapted to process the first air quality indication and a signal from the proximity sensing arrangement, and to control the output accordingly;   wherein, the system further comprising an input for receiving an indication of a second air quality for the second area, and   wherein the processor is adapted to control the output based on a difference between the first air quality indication and the second air quality indication.   
     
     
         2 . A system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the system comprises a first air quality sensor for measuring and providing the first air quality indication, and a second air quality sensor for measuring and providing the second air quality indication. 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . A system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the system further comprises an input for receiving at least one of the following parameters:
 the weather conditions;   the noise level;   the light level;   the status of other windows or doors leading to the second area;   air quality indications from other air quality sensors relating to the first area provided at the building at which the system is mounted;   air quality indications from other air quality sensors relating to the first area and not provided at the building at which the system is mounted;   air quality indications from indoor air quality sensors provided at the building at which the system is mounted;   publicly broadcast air quality warning information;   status information from climate control devices.   
     
     
         5 . A system as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising a wireless transmitter for wirelessly transmitting data to a remote terminal, wherein the transmitter is adapted to transmit data when proximity is sensed and/or when interrogated by the remote terminal. 
     
     
         6 . A system as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the processor is adapted to transmit data to the remote terminal in dependence on the distance to the remote terminal. 
     
     
         7 . A system as claimed in  claim 5  or wherein the processor is adapted to transmit data to the remote terminal which takes account of one or more of:
 the weather or air quality forecast; 
 the geometry of all of the windows and doors coupling the second area to the first area. 
 
     
     
         8 . A system as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the processor is adapted to transmit data to the remote terminal which, by taking account of the geometry including the orientation of the windows and doors and the building design, and taking account of the time of day indicates which windows or doors should be opened and when. 
     
     
         9 . A system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the output is provided to an output device which comprises a visual and sound output device, wherein the processor is adapted to control the output device to generate a visual output only for providing advisory information, and to control the display and sound output device to provide a visual and audible output for providing warning information. 
     
     
         10 . A system as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising an indoor air treatment device, wherein the processor is further adapted to control the indoor air treatment device. 
     
     
         11 . A system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the processor is adapted to provide an indication of the sensor capabilities required by the system in dependence on one or more of:
 the location at which the system is to be used;   user input relating to the expected pollutants in the first or second areas;   sensor information received from nearby air quality sensors not forming part of the system.   
     
     
         12 . An air quality alert method, comprising:
 receiving a first air quality indication in respect of a first area;   operating a proximity sensing arrangement for detecting that a user is in the proximity of a door or window between the first area and a second area;   receiving a second air quality indication in respect of the second area; and   processing the first air quality indication, the second air quality indication and a signal from the proximity sensing arrangement, and providing a recommendation for a status of the door or window based on the processing.   
     
     
         13 . A method as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the first area is outdoors and the second area is indoors, and the processing takes account of one or more of:
 the outdoor weather conditions;   the outdoor noise level;   the outdoor light level;   the status of other windows or doors leading to the indoor area;   outdoor air quality indications from other outdoor air quality sensors provided at the building at which the system is mounted;   outdoor air quality indications from other outdoor air quality sensors not provided at the building at which the system is mounted;   indoor air quality indications from other indoor air quality sensors provided at the building at which the system is mounted;   publicly broadcast air quality warning information;   status information from climate control devices.   
     
     
         14 . A method as claimed in  claim 12 , further comprising providing an indication of the sensor capabilities required by the system in dependence on one or more of:
 the location at which the system is to be used;   user input relating to the expected pollutants in the first or second areas;   air quality indications received from nearby air quality sensors not forming part of the system.   
     
     
         15 . A system as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a wireless data transfer system for wirelessly transmitting the output to a remote terminal. 
     
     
         16 . A window opener, comprising:
 a system according to  claim 1 ;   a motor for opening or closing the window depending on the output.